If you’re looking for a way to expand your living space and increase your home’s value, consider basement renovations. Basements offer the square footage you might need for a growing family or to accommodate multi-generational living. Finishing or updating your basement will improve your lifestyle at home. Basement renovations also have a good return on investment and can improve resale value.
Whether you’re starting from scratch or want to do some simple upgrades, here are ten basement renovation ideas.
1. The ultimate family room
Your basement is the perfect space to create another area for spending time as a family. Since we are spending so much time at home, it’s essential to have multiple spaces within our home for living. A family room is one of the most popular basement ideas for remodeling.
With a family room, you have plenty of options. You can create a home entertainment area with comfortable furniture for watching movies and playing video games. Add a games area with a table and custom cabinetry for storage. You can also add a fireplace in your family room to create a cozy ambiance while you enjoy the space.
When you’re choosing flooring for your basement family room, choose something comfortable and resistant to moisture. Basements, unfortunately, are more prone to water than other parts of the house. Flooring like hardwood will get damaged and warped in a minor flood. Vinyl, ceramic tile, and some types of carpet are good choices. Read more about the best flooring options for a basement.
2. The man cave
A ‘man cave’ doesn’t have to be just for the man of the house, as the name suggests. But typically, a man cave is a place to escape the busyness of life to enjoy entertainment, relaxation, and sometimes hobbies. These incredible man cave basement renovation ideas include spaces for sports fans, movie enthusiasts, and for just relaxing. Complete with comfortable furniture, display shelving for collectibles and art, and often a wet-bar, you’ll love your personal sanctuary.
3. Learning space
Whether you’ve always homeschooled your kids or if you’ve transitioned to home-based learning recently, the basement is an excellent space for this. Transform the primary area of the basement into a learning space. It could include desks and computer stations for the kids, a reading nook, arts and craft area, and smart storage solution for their school supplies. Having a designated space for homeschooling or online learning will allow your family to find a better school-life balance.
4. Home office
Working from home has many benefits, but it can be difficult to stay focused and productive without a proper workspace. Create a home office that meets all your needs. Include a larger window for natural lighting, comfortable furniture, and a door that can close to minimize distraction. A basement is a good place for your home office since it is separate from the rest of the home.
5. Fitness room
If you are tired of driving to the gym or want to access your favourite fitness equipment at home, a basement fitness room is a solution. When creating a basement workout area, there are a few things you must consider. You’ll need proper ventilation for a workout space. That means adding a window or having a fan installed to keep the air from getting too stuffy. Some homeowners choose to install a floor-to-ceiling mirror on a wall in their home fitness studio to create the feeling of a larger space.
The flooring should be water-resistant and be soft underfoot. Luxury vinyl plank or vinyl tile is a good choice, and you can add absorption with floor mats. You can also choose rubber flooring for your home fitness studio. Your contractor can help you choose the best flooring options for a basement workout room. Finally, select your favourite fitness machines and other gym equipment.
6. A secondary suite
If you don’t need the living space, a secondary suite is a valuable way to use your basement. Creating a legal suite can help you generate monthly rental revenue. You can use that extra money to pay your mortgage or for other living expenses. Plus, a legal basement suite is attractive to future buyers and real estate investors. It will give your home a competitive edge if you decide to sell.
Working with a professional basement renovations company will ensure your secondary suite is legal and to code. They can also give basement ideas that will make the suite attractive to quality tenants.
Secondary suites are also an excellent idea for multi-generational or multiple-family living. You can enjoy the benefits of living together while still maintaining independence and privacy.
7. Vacation rental suite
Another basement renovation idea is to create a separate, smaller suite for short-term or nightly rentals. If you don’t need the living space, this is also a revenue-generating idea. Building a comfortable bedroom with a modern ensuite and a small seating area can do the trick. You can also add a small kitchenette so your guests can fix their breakfast. If you’re not using the suite for rentals, it will make a great guest suite addition to your home.
8. Studio for hobbies
If you have a hobby, you’ll know that having a designated space for that hobby is essential. Otherwise, areas like your kitchen table or bedroom desk can get cluttered fast! Whether you’re a quilter, painter, musician, or woodworker, transforming part of your basement into a home studio is one of many excellent basement renovation ideas. Depending on your hobby, you want to make sure you have good ventilation and good lighting.
9. Laundry room upgrade
A laundry room renovation can be done on its own or with a full basement remodel. When designing your new laundry room, ask yourself how you want the space to function. Is it just for washing and drying clothes? Will it double as a storage room, small bathroom, or pet room? Do you need a countertop for folding clothes? A drying rack, cabinetry, or other storage solutions?
An experienced basement renovations company can help you plan your laundry room to best suit your needs. They can also give you more laundry room basement ideas. Then you can treat yourself to brand new energy-efficient appliances to complete the renovation.
10. Don’t forget storage spaces
A basement is an ideal place for your storage rooms. It is out of the way but still more accessible than a garage or shed storage. When you’re planning your basement renovation, don’t forget to incorporate storage areas. Utilize space that isn’t used for anything else. For example, a basement renovator can provide custom storage solutions under your stairs or in a crawlspace. Include shelving, hooks, and hangers, and accessible areas to stack storage bins.
It’s also essential that your storage room doesn’t have any moisture problems. Because the storage room isn’t an area you spend a lot of time in, you might not notice if a problem starts. Once you tuck boxes and bins against a wall, any moisture can damage your items. It can cause mildew and even mould. Potential moisture issues are something your basement renovator will check before finishing any space in your basement renovation.
Custom Basement Development
If you’re looking for more basement renovation ideas or are ready to get started, connect with Custom Basement Development. We can hook you up with reputable, experienced, and quality basement renovation contractors in your city.